Khalabantwana holds fundraising talent show
Khalabantwana (Home for the Children), a non-profit organisation based in Windmill Park, celebrated its 10-year in existence with a talent show on Saturday, November 2.
The event was held at Mpumelelo Day Care Centre in Windmill Park.
According to the founder, Sibongile Mkhwanazi, the organisation’s primary focus is the caring of children, particularly orphans.
“We feed about 450 children through our feeding scheme, and every year, we distribute packages with toiletry and clothing to children in need,” said Mkhwanazi.
The talent show was a fundraising effort by the organisation towards the packages.
The programme of the day included various talent acts, a beauty pageant for boys and girls, a surprise visit by biker clubs and a motivational speaker.
Twenty-one-year-old Phumzile Phillips from Vosloorus, is a student and motivational speaker who shares her story as a young mother to a three-year-old.
She seeks to motivate young people to take the right path in life.
“Use what you have and use it effectively; don’t blame where you come from or your circumstances, empower yourself as a young person, and make the right choices,” said Phillips.
Bikers from Faith Riders and Gontjie Riders were also present to take pictures with the children and give them a biking experience.
The bikers also donated a food parcel and clothing to Khayalabantwana.
“People think bikers are rough and love alcohol. We are not like that – as riders, we are looking out for the children,” said Stephen Mofokeng, from Faith Riders.
“As riders we are here to make the children happy and we would like to thank Khayalabantwana for looking after all these children,” said Tshepo Mokwele from Gontjie Riders.
Khayalabantwana has 30 volunteers, and conducts home visits, offering psychosocial support, nutritional support, referrals, homework supervision and recreational activities, as well as various awareness campaigns.
Mkhwanazi says the plan is to have an orphanage for the neglected children where they can be taken care of on a full-time basis.
“We don’t have land or space to house these children, we can only refer them to social workers so they can be placed,” she said.
The organisation is currently sponsored by Lotto, Eskom and the department of Social Development.
Mkhwanazi is appealing to anyone who can donate property in the area or funds towards a building to contact her on 072 425 0629.
